St Owens Cross, Ross-on-Wye

Overview
Truly Outstanding Listed Grade II Country House In Circa 6 Acres
Wonderful Peaceful And Tranquil Location With Lake And Stream
Pristine Five Reception, Five Bedrooms On Three Levels
Beautiful Southerly Views Over Unspoilt Hidden Valley
Generous Three Car Garage, With Vast Versatile Loft Space Over
45' Two Storey Stone Mill/Granary With Potential For Conversion
Landscaped Gardens, Part-Walled, Arboretum, Lake And c 4 Acre Paddock
Motorway Connections Within 15 Mins Drive. Pub Restaurant 15 Mins Walk!

Location & Description
Michaelchurch Court is set in a glorious rural location some 5 miles west of the market and tourist town of Ross-on-Wye and some 10 miles south of the cathedral city of Hereford. Approached via a private tarmac driveway, the house stands in a beautifully secluded valley with birdsong alone being the sound you are most likely to hear !
The location was originally the site of a rural mill and miller's cottage, later being developed into the fine, Listed Grade II stone and brick farmhouse which we see today. Like most period properties of this nature, successive generations have added to the main structure, as fortunes have waxed and waned. For their part, the current owners designed and created a stunning, Oak framed sun room extension some 9 years ago, which has resulted in a truly beautiful 28' living and entertaining area.
Moreover, extensive further refurbishment works have also been carried out in recent years, and the house now offers exquisite five reception, five bedroom accommodation on three levels, with a total of circa 4,500 sq.ft of sumptuous accommodation.

The Listing
The property was Listed Grade II on the 30th April 1986, the English Heritage Legacy ID being 115290. The first part of the detailed Listing quotes “Farmhouse. Probably 18th Century with 19th Century remodeling. Sandstone rubble, Welsh Slate roof, Sandstone rubble end stacks with Brick shafts. L plan with one arm extending roughly west with the other towards the north. Two storeys and attics”. It then goes into further detail regarding the windows with segmental-headed sashes.

Accommodation
Throughout the property there is evidence of fine period detail, with alcoves, arches, and exposed beams, whilst three of the reception rooms have either open fire places or wood burning stoves, all these features helping to create an ambience which needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated. The principal rooms are of most generous dimensions including the 18' sitting room, 21' dining room and 28' drawing/sun room. The 16' kitchen has a superb black four oven Aga, and both reception hall and landing are fine features of the property. The ground floor also boasts a 15' library/snug, a 13' study, cloakroom and w.c. and an outstanding 18' utility room which was the original Farmhouse kitchen with a wonderful period Range to the former bread oven wall. The aforementioned drawing room and sun room have magnificent Oak framed, glazed, bi-fold doors opening directly onto the sun terrace, the outlook over parts of the landscaped grounds being sensational.
On the first floor, all three bedrooms have excellent en-suite facilities, as well as beautiful views over the gardens and adjacent countryside. There are two further generous bedrooms on the second floor, together with a fine bathroom and 22' loft room awaiting the creation of a further bedroom if required.

Garaging and Outbuildings
Incorporated within the northern end of the structure of the house is a fantastic three car garage with generous workshop/storage space alongside. Each garage section has its own fine Idigbo (looks like Oak) double doors, but the whole of the space is open internally, extending to approaching 30 ft, square allowing easy manoeuvering. Approached via an internal stairway is a huge loft space thereover, with Velux skylights providing excellent natural light. One of the advantages of these garages is that they may be approached directly from the house, precluding the need to get wet in the event of precipitation!
The tarmac approach drive swings around to the east side of the property, allowing easy access to the garages, whilst to the opposite side of the drive way is the fine 45', two storey stone Granary/Mill, currently used for storage in the ground floor space, including a most useful cloaks and w.c., whilst via external stone Granary steps, access is gained to a superb 42' x 17' Conference/Working/Studio space, this whole versatile building offering potential for a wide range of future uses.
To the extreme south western corner of the gardens is an unmodernised Piggery building, nevertheless having a foot print should one wish to create a further garden building.

Landscaped Gardens & Grounds
The principal areas of lawn lie to the south and west of the main house and comprise meticulously maintained areas of lawn interspersed with extensive flower and shrub beds, and with an Arboretum towards the south western corner.
Towards the southern boundary is a sizeable 50' Lake, whilst to the east of same is the former Tennis Court. The current owners have not used it for Tennis, but with its strong and purpose designed, easy drainage base, it is frequently used for overflow parking when holding social functions.
To the east of the aforementioned granary, a stream runs southwards into the lake, and to the east of the stream is a sloping area of Orchard.
Positioned close to the west of the house is a delightful creeper covered Pergola, and this leads to a further paved sun terrace, surrounded by superb herbaceous and shrub beds.
To the north of same is the Walled Portion of the garden, giving shelter to the exquisite sun terrace immediately to the southwest of the sun room.
Beyond the high brick wall is the adjoining Paddock, within the ownership of Michaelchurch Court, a gently sloping grassy area of pasture with six young recently planted deciduous trees and a mature Oak close to the western boundary. The atmosphere within the whole of the gardens is really very special, being the result of the way that the gardens have been set out, planted and maintained, combined with the peaceful and tranquil nature of this beautiful secluded valley.

Tenure
We are advised that the property is Freehold

Services
Services: Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating, with recently installed tank.
Broadband: Current BT availability Speeds: Up to 900Mb (Quoted from by using the property's postcode)
Outgoings: ‘G' Council Tax Band EPC Rating: ‘N/A (Grade II Listed)

Please Note
Although Michaelchurch Court has only been placed on the market in Spring 2024, some of the photos in the brochure were taken in 2023 in anticipation of the future sale.

To View
Strictly and only please by prior telephone appointment through Morris Bricknell Tel: Out of hours please feel free to contact Norman Bricknell or

Directions
Leave the western outskirts of Ross-on-Wye at Wilton roundabout (BP service station) taking the A49 towards Hereford. Pass through the village of Peterstow, continuing onwards past the Red Lion pub, thereafter taking the next left turning signposted Abergavenny. Carefully turn right at the first crossroads (St Owens Cross) thereafter turning left after approx. 300m at the unmarked, and easily missed turning into Gillow Lane. Proceed along Gillow Lane, and after dipping down and then rising again, the private driveway to Michaelchurch Court will be seen on the left hand side.
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